For the past several days, I’ve been working on a project with my good friend, Paul Miller. To understate things, Paul is an interesting fellow. He makes his living as a performer - specifically, a juggler/magician/comedian. He describes himself as a “variety artist”. Graciously, he’s allowed me to follow him around to several of his gigs with my camera and my microphone. The experience thus far has been extremely enjoyable and even more rewarding than I’d expected.
The goal of this project is to essentially create a photo/audio documentary on Paul and his life. I’ve gathered several hours of audio as well as several thousand photos. The job now is on me. I must edit a ton of photos and cut a ton of audio, then sync the two together. I can’t wait to get started! The final product should be ready within a couple of months. Keep an eye on the blog and the website to see it once it’s done.
In the meantime, check out Paul’s website and other website. If you’re in the area, give him a call and support his businesses. He is sure to satisfy your playful needs.
A couple of Sundays ago, I spent some time photographing a groundbreaking ceremony at Millbrook Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. The event was marking the start of a new building project on the grounds of the church. The job was nothing too out of the ordinary, mainly a photojournalistic endeavor. However simple the photography was, the experience was unusually personal. For about 10 years, my father and mother were ministers at this church. Subsequently, I’m left with many memories of the place as an important element in my growth to this point. Many of the faces were familiar, many of the voices were oh so recognizable, and even the walls of the current building seemed to speak to me as would a long lost friend. My good friend, Marshall was present as the videographer, and incidentally, we met nearly 15 years ago at this very church. It was interesting to reminisce about the past with him, remembering every face and voice with a touch of fondness.
It strikes me as particularly interesting how easily it is to forget the past, yet how equally easy it is to recall it. I’m always amazed at how my senses make me remember things that I otherwise would’ve forgotten. Sights, sounds, and smells (particularly smells) seem to trigger these hidden compartments of the brain to open and pour out feelings of the past. Thusly, it seems important to once in a while return to the places that have defined us, if for no other reason than to rediscover who we are.